Funding and Policies that get Urban Trails Built

January 19, 2016

Brandon Ross, AICP
Jim Carrillo, FAICP ASLA

Thursday, March 10, 3:00 pm.Salon F&G

Urban trails, or shared use paths, are generally constructed of concrete or asphalt and are built to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards. Construction of these trails requires in-depth design, often preceded by engineering feasibility and analysis. The process can be costly from planning to design, review, and construction; often averaging approximately $2M-$3M per mile.The purpose of this session is to identify successful, tested, and proven strategies and resources that facilitate funding and constructing urban trails. While there are a variety of existing funding programs that are relevant to urban trails, which of these are the most common and the most useful when building urban trails in Texas? What policies need to be in place to encourage the construction of trails? What other mechanisms have cities used to fund construction of trails? The panel will respond to these questions by presenting case studies and real-world examples of policies and funding mechanisms for urban trails that have gone from the planning phase to the completed construction phase. A discussion will then ensue regarding recommendations from panelists on specific trail projects.

Brandon Ross, AICP

Special Projects Manager,City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department

Brandon currently manages the planning, land acquisitions, design and construction of the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System, a growing network of multi-use hike and bike trails along San Antonio waterways. His previous experience includes initiatives related to community planning, land use and residential development. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters of Urban Planning from Texas A&M University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Brandon has shared his expertise several times with conference attendees. When not working he enjoys playing music (play guitar, drums, bass) is involved with Christian ministries and is active with his children (tennis, fishing, hiking, biking).

Jim Carrillo, FAICP ASLA

Vice President and Director of Planning,Halff Associates Inc.

Jim grew up in the Caribbean, and moved to Texas when he was 15. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Jim is a registered Landscape Architect and a certified planner. He has been involved in many city and regional planning efforts over his 29 year career, including comprehensive planning, downtown planning, corridor planning, park, trail and bicycle facility planning, development planning for large master planned communities, and urban designs for cities throughout Texas, in New Mexico and Oklahoma.